Register Now!
Help us make this year's parade amazing by registering your unique set of wheels.
Register OnlineGet a Printable FormFriday, August 9, 2024
Parade starts at 6:00 PM
Pre-parade performance by Springfield Little Theatre
Chevy Dealers of the Ozarks/KY3 Stage
Cars, Trucks, and Motorcycles
The 2024 Birthplace of Route 66 Festival Parade promises a spectacular collection of an anticipated 700 cars, trucks and motorcycles rolling, single file, through downtown Springfield, east on the Mother Road! Don’t miss this highly anticipated parade as it makes it way down Route 66 through Springfield on Friday evening, beginning at 6 p.m.
We are moving away from a color coded and “era” parade staging we have done in the past to simplify things and to accommodate more parade entries.
Those interested may add the parade as a part of their car show registration at no additional cost, or simply register below for the parade only for a $10 donation.
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Have a performing group interested in being a part of the Parade festivities? Either complete the online parade performance application form below or download, print and mail the printable application. Then join us in the parade or at one of several performance locations on Friday. We would love to have you help add fun variety to the parade.
This is strictly a parade on wheels. Performance groups will perform at one of the performance areas, or on their own float. Registrations for all but bicycle groups are accepted until July 26, 2024. Bicycle group applications are accepted until the day of the parade, Aug. 9. You will be notified no later than Aug. 2, 2024 on your application status. For safety reasons, the throwing of candy is not permitted.
Download a printable PDF of the Site Plan. The parade starts at College and Grant and ends at St. Louis and National. The best viewing locations for the parade are at Park Central Square, near Motorcycle Village at St. Louis and Jefferson, or at many locations along College and St. Louis St. to spread out along the way. Bring your lawn chairs and find a place to sit back and enjoy the ride. Note: This year the parade will not split around both sides of Park Central Square. It will be single file and will proceed around the south side of the square only.
Download a printable PDF of the Parade Route Map.
Want to join the parade?
Can you decide to participate in the parade once you get to the festival? Absolutely! Just come to one of the two check-in locations starting at 4 p.m., and pay the $10 entry fee in cash to participate.
Already registered for the parade?
We are moving away from a color coded and “era” parade staging we have done in the past to simplify things and to accommodate more parade entries. Staging is simply first-come, first-served beginning at 4 p.m.
To assemble for the parade, arrive at one of two entry points. Parade Staging begins at 4 p.m. at these check-in locations.
Check-in #1
Vehicles will be staged on College St. (historic Route 66) between Kansas Expy. and Grant Ave., heading east. You will be asked to stage on both sides of the road, keeping the middle of the road clear for emergency vehicles.
Check-in #2
College St. and West Ave. Enter College from Scenic Ave. Vehicles will be staged on College St. (historic Route 66) between West Ave. & Kansas Expy., heading east. You will be asked to stage on both sides of the road, keeping the middle of the road clear for emergency vehicles.
Pre-parade Parties & Kickoff
Pre-parade parties and cookouts will take place from 4-6 p.m. at the Birthplace of Route 66 Roadside Park, 1200 block of West College and at the Route 66 Car Museum, 1634 W. College. Feel free to walk to either of these parties after you have staged your vehicle. We will also have a short ceremony at 5:00 p.m. at the Roadside Park.
The parade will kick off promptly at 6 p.m. at the corner of College (Historic Route 66) and Grant. As you pass through this intersection, please zipper into a single file line and proceed through the route
Parade Route
The parade will proceed east to St. Louis and National in a single file line. The parade will take the south (right) route through Park Central Square. Traffic officers will direct the parade to disperse south on National, but cruisers may continue to head east to Glenstone and follow the official Cruisin’ the Birthplace route to show off your classic car or bike to the rest of Springfield!
Cruise Route
Once you complete the closed-route Parade, there’s no need to end the fun! Keep on crusin! The Crusin’ the Birthplace route takes you in a loop around Springfield, past some of our city’s iconic locations, including Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and down two of Route 66’s business routes.
Grand Marshal
John Sellars
As director emeritus of the History Museum on the Square, John Sellars has introduced thousands of museum visitors, both local and international, to the Mother Road with the Birthplace of Route 66 Gallery in the museum.
John will be joined by his grandchildren as grand marshals for the parade.
New: Post-parade Cruise!
After driving in the parade, drivers are invited to keep on crusin! The Crusin’ the Birthplace route takes you in a loop around Springfield, past some of our city’s iconic locations, including Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World and down two of Route 66’s business routes.
